A good performance is the requirement and let the result take care of itself. I reckon we have a top 8 team without injuries but probably a lower mid-table squad. If we can stay relatively injury free and finish the season like the last then top 10 is still possible and who knows about the cup?
Not sure if City losing yesterday is good or bad, and to be honest it probably doesn't matter with their quality. Anyway, they only have today and tomorrow off before this. They then play again on Saturday, so they only have two days rest before that one too, so I imagine they'll make changes (which hardly weakens them). We have three days either side so I'd imagine we'll go full strength.
Just a thought on Tella in the last game. Strikes me that Ralph has set on playing a flyer alongside either Ings or Adams up top. He was trying that with Redmond, but old Nath wasn't quite up to it (but which was why he continued to play Redmond, despite all of the fans going spare). Tried it again with Tella and it worked well. Good tactic that.
He has always said he builds his sides around pace going forwards and neither Ings nor Adams are particularly blessed in that department so it makes sense.
Ings had a scan and is out for 3 weeks apparently. Could have been worse. Will only miss 2 league games plus the Bournemouth game.
It’s only my opinion but Tella looks a real find. I think he’s going to be quite a star. He’s just what we need I think, pace,positivity and a real prospect. Decision making I think will get better with more games but he’s got a real future and hopefully it’s going to be with us long term
I was thinking on Saturday when watching him that maybe our approach to the academy (for the time being at least) is similar to our first team signings in recent years. If you look at Bertrand, Romeu, KWP, Ings, and possibly others, we've taken players who were unable to have much of an impact at a big side and given them a platform to go and perform. Tella was signed from Arsenal I think? And Nlundulu from Chelsea? So perhaps picking up cast offs from big sides and developing them is a good strategy considering our academy has dried up a little.
I'd probably play Redmond with Adams on Wednesday to give Tella a bit of rest, before starting him vs Brighton.
He really is an exciting prospect, I think he will just get better and better. But yea agree with him on the bench Wednesday, and start him Sunday.